Tailback Alden Hill says he's leaving Tennessee

Tailback Alden Hill says he's leaving Tennessee

UT quarterback Nathan Peterman hands off the ball to Alden Hill during the Orange and White game at Neyland Stadium.

Photo by
Angela Lewis
/Times Free Press.

KNOXVILLE - Tennessee tailback Alden Hill is leaving the Volunteers.

The rising redshirt sophomore from Ohio announced his departure via his Instagram on Tuesday evening.

"As of today I'm sad to say I'm no longer a Tennessee Vol," Hill wrote in the post. "I have decided to move on for my best interest and find a new home. I have loved Tennessee and the entire Big Orange family. I thank the coaches and the fans for my time here and will always remember my time spent at Tennessee, my first true love."

The 6-foot-2, 215-pound Hill signed with Tennessee in 2012 out of Marlington High School in Alliance, where he set the school's record for career rushing yards as a junior. He was rated as a three-star prospect by both Rivals.com and 247sports.com.

After taking a redshirt season, Hill appeared in eight games last season. He carried the ball 10 times for 58 yards and scored the only touchdown of his career deep into garbage time of the Vols' 59-14 loss at Oregon. That game, in mid-September, was the last one in which he registered a carry.

He played primarily on special teams for the next few games, but didn't play in the season's last four games.

Tennessee signed three tailbacks -- five-star early enrollee Jalen Hurd and summer arrivals Derrell Scott and Treyvon Paulk -- in its 2014 class, and Devrin Young moved back into the backfield after playing at slot receiver last season. Justus Pickett is also eligible this season after sitting out last season following his transfer from Maryland.